Sandstorm (weather condition)
| Sandstorm 砂あらし Sandstorm | |
 
| |
| Move | Ability |
|---|---|
| Sandstorm Max Rockfall |
Sand Stream Sand Spit |
Sandstorm (Japanese: 砂あらし Sandstorm) is a type of weather introduced in battle in Generation II. It was introduced in the overworld in Generation III.
It will last for five turns if created using Sand Stream (Generation VI onwards) or Sandstorm, or eight if created while holding a Smooth Rock. If created using Sand Stream (prior to Generation VI) or encountered in the overworld, it will last until replaced. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Max Rockfall causes a sandstorm after dealing damage. The Ability Sand Spit, which also debuted in Sword and Shield, will create a Sandstorm if the Pokémon with the Ability is hit with a damaging move.
Description
| Event | Gen II | Gen III | Gen IV | Gen V | Gen VI | Gen VII | Gen VIII |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| If naturally occurring | N/A | "A sandstorm is raging." | "A sandstorm brewed!" | "A sandstorm kicked up!" | "The sandstorm is raging!" | ||
| Sandstorm used | "A Sandstorm brewed!" | "A sandstorm brewed!" | "A sandstorm kicked up!" | ||||
| Sand Stream activated | N/A | "(Wild/Foe) <Pokémon>'s Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!" | "(The wild/foe's) <Pokémon>'s Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!" | ||||
| After turn is complete | "The Sandstorm rages." | "The sandstorm rages." | (no text) | ||||
| When damaging Pokémon | "The Sandstorm hits (Enemy) <Pokémon>!" | "(Wild/Foe) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!" | "(The wild/foe's) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the Sandstorm!" | "(The wild/foe's) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!" | "(The wild/opposing) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!"' | "(The wild/The opposing/Totem) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!"' | "(The wild/The opposing/<Trainer>'s) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!"' |
| When sandstorm ends | "The Sandstorm subsided." | "The sandstorm subsided." | |||||
On the field
Main series
| Game | Region | Location | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSEORAS | Hoenn | Route 111 | Within the desert part |
| DPPtBDSP | Sinnoh | Route 228 | Always |
| BWW2 | Unova | Route 4 | Always |
| BWB2W2 | Unova | Desert Resort | Always |
| B2W2 | Unova | Lentimas Town | Sometimes |
| B2W2 | Unova | Reversal Mountain external | Sometimes |
| SMUSUM | Alola | Haina Desert | 5:00 PM - 9:59 AM |
In Galar, there are different types of weather occurring in the Wild Area and the Isle of Armor. The type of weather will affect which wild Pokémon appear in the area. During Sandstorm overworld weather, the in-battle weather condition will be Sandstorm. There are nine types of weather in the Wild Area. It is the only weather condition to not occur in the Crown Tundra. For Sandstorm to occur in the Wild Area, there is a prerequisite to have first visited Hammerlocke.
Mystery Dungeon series
| Game | Dungeon | Floors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDRB | Uproar Forest | 3 and 6 | Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead |
| MDRB | Howling Forest | 3, 6, 9 and 13 | Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead |
| MDRB | Lightning Field | 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 | Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead |
| MDRB | Mt. Faraway | 4, 8, 10, 14, 17, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 |
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead |
| MDRB | Northern Range | 4, 8, 11 and 15 | Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead |
| MDRB | Pitfall Valley | 3, 6, 10 and 15 | Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead |
| MDRB | Desert Region | 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15 and 18 |
|
| MDRB | Wyvern Hill | 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 |
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead |
| MDRB | Purity Forest | 15, 21, 24, 28, 32, 38, 43, 48, 52, 57, 61, 67, 81 and 89 |
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead |
Additionally, on floors 50 to 60 of Western Cave, Tyranitar can spawn, overriding any pre-existing weather with sandstorm.
Effects
In battle
- At the end of each turn, damages each Pokémon for 1/16 (⅛ in Generation II) of its maximum HP, unless it is Rock-, Steel-, or Ground-type; has one of the Abilities Sand Force, Sand Rush, Sand Veil, Magic Guard, or Overcoat; or is holding Safety Goggles.
- Activates the following Abilities: Sand Force, Sand Rush, Sand Veil.
- From Generation IV onward, raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%.
- Changes Weather Ball to a Rock-type move and doubles its power.
- From Generation III onward, halves the power of Solar Beam and Solar Blade.
- Causes Shore Up to recover ⅔ of max HP instead of ½.
- Causes Moonlight, Synthesis, and Morning Sun to recover ¼ of max HP (half the normal amount in Generation II).
Outside of battle
From Pokémon Diamond and Pearl to Pokémon X and Y, Sweet Scent and Honey will fail if there is a sandstorm in the area, or if any other type of weather is present. In the Generation III games and from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire onward, Sweet Scent and Honey are unaffected by the weather.
Variations
Normal
Sand is whipped around by wind, making it difficult to see. Found in Hoenn on Route 111, in Sinnoh on Route 228, and in Unova inside the Desert Resort.
Light
Several sand particles are whipped diagonally across the screen. In Generation V, it is found on Route 4BWW2 and at the entrance to the Desert ResortBWB2W2.
Windstorm
This variation does not create sandstorm weather in battles where it occurs, but the overworld effect resembles a sandstorm. Found in Kalos on Route 13, bits of dust and debris are blown around by a strong wind from the west. Occasionally the wind abates, but whenever it is blowing, it hinders the player's movement westward.
In the anime
- Main article: Sandstorm (move) → In the anime
- Main article: Sand Stream (Ability) → In the anime
In the manga
- Main article: Sandstorm (move) → In the manga
- Main article: Sand Stream (Ability) → In the manga
In other generations
In battle
Core series games
Side series games
Spin-off games
Interface elements
In the overworld
Normal
Light
Trivia
- Some lines of unused sandstorm quotes appear within the code of the games. These appear to be weather-triggered quotes from previous games.
- There is a mistake in Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: The Official Kalos Region Pokédex & Postgame Adventure Guide that states that during the sandstorm weather condition, the Speed of Rock-type Pokémon goes up, rather than the Special Defense stat.
In other languages
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather conditions | |
|---|---|
| Harsh sunlight • Rain • Sandstorm • Hail • Snow • Shadowy aura • Fog Extremely harsh sunlight • Heavy rain • Strong winds |